The pool pump is the heart of your swimming pool's circulation system. It creates the flow of water that allows chemicals to circulate evenly throughout your pool and is instrumental in effectively sanitizing your water, and it moves debris through the circulation system and out of your pool.
Aside from the multitude of models and brands of available pumps, there are three types to choose from: single-speed, two-speed, and variable-speed pumps. Let's take a look at some of the essential differences.
Single speed pool pumps do pretty much one thing, they pump your swimming pool's water through your system at only one constant speed. The thing about single speed pool pumps is that the initial price is very attractive because they are quite inexpensive. They are, however, quite expensive to operate. Now the one job that they do, they do well, which is turning the water over providing flow allowing your equipment to function correctly.
Two-speed pumps run at two fixed speeds, high and low, and require a separate device such as an automation system to adjust between the two speeds. Since you can adjust between the two speeds, your energy usage will drop whenever you're running at the lower speed. Switching your single speed pump to a two-speed pump can save you as much as 80% on your pool's energy bill.
If you were to upgrade your single speed pump to an energy star-rated, variable-speed pool pump (VSP) your energy savings would be dramatic - up to 90% every season! Variable -speed pumps can also handle more complex pool applications, and are considered to be "intelligent" because they adjust their speed automatically for the task that they are performing.
Keeping the heart of your swimming pool's circulation system pumping is vital to the health and safety of your swimming pool and knowing the options that you have is essential, but remember that investing up front will save you energy which saves you money long term.